HC Deb 01 July 2002 vol 388 cc93-4W
Mrs. May

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what representations he has received on the proposal to give local authorities the power to reduce housing benefit for antisocial tenants; and if he will place related correspondence in the Library. [60442]

Malcolm Wicks

The idea of withholding people's housing benefit if their behaviour is persistently anti-social was raised in a Bill put before this House by my right hon. Friend the Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field).

We believe in the principle that rights should be matched by responsibilities and support the underlying objectives of the Bill. We are currently considering how the Bill could be put into a workable format.

We have received some representations about the Bill. However, it would be inappropriate to publish the few letters received, as they are not in response to public consultation.